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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Rear Admiral Henry B. Wilson, Commander, United States Patrol Sqauadrons Operating in European Waters

<Cablegram>   Mercantile Shipping

Comfran, Brest               March 27, 1918.  SFM

     O-1                SX                 1462.

25D

VERY SECRET

1462. Your 1512.1 Storeships and other American ships discharging in Havre should be directed to report to British transport officer in Havre for escort and routing instructions to cross to England and thence to Plymouth to join regular westbound convoy. As general rule all American ships entering British ports should report to senior naval Officer and request escort and route instructions to next port.

     I have pointed out to Army authorities2 that use of French Channel ports involves additional danger and only smallest storeships should be sent to Havre. I have explained that French Atlantic ports are safest and that these ports should be developed as fast as possible to handle all our storeships 1462. 14527

Sims.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Identifier “1/3/C/J” appears in upper-right corner.

Footnote 1: This document has not been found.

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